Digital representation methods: The case of algorithmic design

Architectural representation encompasses the means used to describe architec-tural entities. This discipline has long been under constant change due to architects' ever-present desire for innovation. Algorithmic design (AD) is currently making its way into the plethora of representation methods that integrate the architect's day-to-day work tools. However, it provides its fair share of controversy and hardship as it goes. This paper as-sesses whether AD is suitable as a representation method for architectural design by making a systematic analysis of this medium as a contemporary representation method. Specif-ically, we investigate (1) its birth and evolution as a means of representation, (2) the char-acteristics that make it simultaneously appealing and off-putti ng to the architectural community, (3) the influence of technological evolution and education on its proliferation, and (4) its capacity to represent design problems in comparison to the currently predomi-nant means of digital architectural representation, that is, computer-ai ded drafting and building information modeling.(c) 2022 Higher Education Press Limited Company. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY -NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This paper systematically analyzes the suitability of algorithmic design as a contemporary representation method for architectural design, exploring its origins, characteristics, influence of technological development and education, and its comparison to other digital architectural representation methods.